New Territory

Yesterday we saw The Valley for the first time. Basically, we will be helping to coordinate the work in the area seen behind us. As far as you can see to the left and and as far as you can see to the right (approximately 40 miles) seems overwhelming. However, we only have east and west between the mountains! This area includes several older towns and then a lot of new construction as well.

The climate is warmer and drier than in Quito due to the lower elevation. Yet, nestled between the green-covered mountains, it is a beautiful place. As you can see, "the boundary lines have fallen for us in pleasant places." Please pray for us a we look for permanent housing and ways to develop relationships in this area.




Please pray for the people of Ecuador as well. Ecuador is approximately the size of Colorado, but has areas of jungle, mountain, coast, islands and volcanoes (but don't tell our mothers!). The people are very diverse as well, including descendants of pre-Colombian mountain tribes, Spanish colonialists, former slaves and people who live in the jungle even today. There are also distinct extremes in this country. For example, there are malls that would shock even the well-shopped person from the United States. But just outside there are small, dirty, cold children selling gum in the streets. Pray that the upper class people will see a need for spiritual things in addition to the materialistic things and that the poorer people will see that they are valuable to God.